Ankle sprains, commonly known as “broken foot”, are common injuries to one or both of the ligaments on the outside of the ankle joint. Ankle sprains are very common and can cause ankle fractures or ligament injuries. Doctors often don’t pay much attention to ligament injuries and only give patients some topical symptomatic medications. If ankle sprains are not well treated, they will leave long-term ankle instability, swelling and pain in the ankle joint, which is very common in outpatient clinics. About 20-30% of patients have long-term pain and swelling of the ankle joint, and some of these patients are the result of improper treatment in the early stages. A sprained ankle can treat itself if there is no fracture. There is a simple way to determine whether a fracture has occurred: use your hand to press the outer ankle of the foot, i.e., the most prominent place on the outside of the foot, whether it is painful or not, if there is no pain in the outer ankle and the pain occurs in the place in front of the outer ankle, this is often ligament injury. Ankle sprain self-treatment method 1, do not continue to walk after the sprain, if mild sprain, swelling is not strong can walk. 2, ice: some people have a wrong idea, once sprained to take massage or hot compress method, this is wrong. Because sprains are ligaments are overstretched local blood vessels have ruptured, and then massage will make the bleeding more and more, the swelling also increased. If you use hot compresses will make the blood circulation faster, will also increase the swelling and pain. Ice compresses can shrink the blood vessels and reduce the swelling and pain, generally ice can last for three days. Ice can last for three days, and then change to hot compresses and physical therapy later. 3.Pressure bandage: serious sprains have to take the method of immobilization, can be fixed with a bandage, more serious cases have to be fixed with a plaster, because the ligament laxity will be caused by unfixed, which will leave the ankle joint chronic pain and instability in the future. 4, elevate the affected limb: when sleeping, put a pillow under the foot, elevate the affected limb to help reduce swelling. If the sprain is more serious or there is a fracture, you should go to the hospital for examination and treatment.